Background and Objectives: Traditional rituals continue to face resistance stemming from missionization, the legacy of colonization, globalization, modernization, and Western-centric education. The suppression of these important cultural tools continues to advance ‘imported’ interventions for local communities, disregarding local indigenous knowledge. This study sought to examine the relevance of traditional mourning rituals in community morality and well-being. Anchored in cultural evolution theory, the study employed quantitative ethnographic research design. Methodology: Data were collected from 45 community elders, 30 bereaved adults, 30 bereaved adolescents, and 8 religious leaders through focus group discussions and interviews from the Luhya community of Western Kenya. Further quantitative data was collected using psychometric survey with Prosociality scale and subjective well being scale. Results: The study established 25 mourning rituals practiced by the Luhya people, each serving an evolutionary function for community survival and wellbeing. Conclusions and implications: The study recommends integrating local cultural knowledge to address community challenges among indigenous communities globally and reducing overreliance on imported solutions from other regions.

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